Invalid chair



April 8, 1952 A. M. M c. GRAY 2,592,025

INVALID CHAIR Filed 001". 23, 1948 I 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 65 ANNA MARIE M CORMICK GRAY ATTORNEY April 8, 1952 Filed Oct. 23. 1948 A. M. M C. GRAY INVALID CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ANNA MARIE MCORMICK GRAY ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INVALID CHAIR Anna Marie McCormick Gray, Portland, Oreg.

Application October 23, 1948, Serial No. 56,210

This invention relates to invalid chairs and is particularly adapted to be used by invalids.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an invalid chair whose seat can be adjusted up and down by either the invalid or the attendant While the invalid is seated in the chair.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means associated with the chair permitting the patient to get out of the chair and onto a bed, or onto the chair from the bed without the assistance of an attendant.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means within the chair for converting the chair into a horizontal table upon which the patient can recline.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of sanitary or lavatory facilities within the chair.

And a still further object of the invention is the provision of mechanism within the chair so that the same can be folded into a small space for facilitating transportation, or storage of the chair.

These and other incidental objects will be apparent in the drawings, specification and claims.

In the carrying out of the first object of my invention the seat of the chair is adjustable up and down relative to its supporting base. This adjustment being made by either the patient or the attendant so that the level of the seat can be adjusted to the level of a bed, depending upon the height of the bed. Then means is provided for lowering the back of the chair on to the bed so that the patient or invalid can transfer from the chair on to the bed or vice versa over the horizontally positioned back. Y

By providing this adjustment of the back up and down relative to the seat of the chair,the patient or invalid can move himself from place to place with the seat of the chair in a lowered position, which is safer and more comfortable, but at the same time being able to adjust the seat to any bed level. The ability of the patient to get in and out of the bed is the primary object of my invention.

In'the carrying out of the further objects of my invention, the ability to convert the chair into a table or platform similar to a stretcher or operating table provides a most desired condition in the handling of patients or invalids.

The ability to fold the chair assembly into a small space is another outstanding feature, making it possible for the invalid to be moved. from place to place with the least amount of effort.

Referring to the drawings:

5 Claims. (01. 28)

Figure 1 is a side view of my new and improved invalid chair.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating one of the features employed in the conversion of the chair into a table or platform.

Figure 3 is another enlarged detail view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, illustrating the means of locking the particular elements together.

Figure 3A is a detailed fragmentary partially broken away view of the driving sprocket and the brake mechanism.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the chair in raised position.

Figure 5 is a detailed enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4, illustrating the foot rest assembly. 7

Figure 6 is a side view of the chair in lowered or folded position.

Figure 7 is an inverted plan view of the seat assembly. taken on line 1-1 of Figure -l, illustrating a portion of, the raising and lowering mechanism, and the sanitary or lavatory facilities associated with the chair.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of Figure 7, taken on line 8--8, looking in the direction indicated.

Referring more specifically to the drawings:

My new and improved invalid chair consists of a horizontal base I, which is supported by a pair of driving wheels 2 on its one end, and by the caster wheels 3 at its opposite end. The driving wheels 2 revolve on a cross shaft 4, which is securely fixed to the frame I by any suitable holding means not here shown in detail. A pair of oppositely disposed arms 5 are pivotally mounted to the shaft 4, 'as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 at their lower ends, having stub shaftsfi journalled in their upper ends and revolved by the removable cranks '1.

Fixedly keyed to the stub shafts 6 are driving sprockets. 8 which drive the chains 9, which in turn are trained about the sprockets III, which are fixedly secured to the wheels 2. Each of the wheels 2 have their ownindividual drivin assembly, as above described, including the cranks- 1, chains 9 and the associated sprockets.

maintains the dog in the position shown over the dead center at one side due to its position "relative to the pivot point 10B, or it will hold the dog in the dotted position over the dead center at the other side by the same principle. The dog is moved by the operator to either of the positions by the knob |F laterally thereon. operating through the arcuate slot IOG in the casing referring to Figure 1. The tip ||lH of the dog engages the links of the chain 9 locking the same from movement when the dog is in the position illustrated in Figure 3A.

I will now describe the method of mounting the seat of the chair to the base just described. The seat consists of a horizontal base or main framework I I, having a pair of brackets l2 fixedly secured thereto at its rear and adapted to be pivotally mounted to the upper ends of a pair of oppositely disposed forwardly inclined side bars |3 at I4. The forward lower ends of the said bars being slidably mounted within the horizontal slotted guides |5 near the front and forming part of the base at l3 as by means of rollers or otherwise. A second pair of rearwardlyinclined side bars l6 are pivotally mounted to the frame I near the rear at at their rear lower ends, having their upper ends slidably mounted within the guide ways [8, which in turn are fixedly secured to the base H of the seat, referring particularly to Figure l.

The bar assemblies |3|6 are pivotally connected together at |9 where they intersect by suitable rivets or bolts, maintaining the assembly in a relative position regarding one another. The upper ends of the pair of bars l6 not only work within the guideways 18, but are pivotally connected at to the elongated sliding members 2|, which operate in the guideways .22 formed on the base of the seat 1 referring particularly to Figures 7 and 8. These elongated sliding members have threaded shafts 23 and .24 threaded therein. These shafts are geared together by the bevel gears 25 and 26 working in connection with the cross shaft 2'|.' The shafts 23, 24 and 21 are journalled within bearings 28 forming part of the seat frame.

The end of the shaft 23 extends beyond one of the bearings 28 and terminates in a squared 1 portion 29, which isadapted to receive the crank 30, also the end of the cross shaft 21 extends beyond the seat terminating in a squared end 3| adapted to receive the crank 30. A choice of location of the crank is determined depend- I ing upon the patient using the chair. By revolving this crank in either direction the threaded members '23 and 24 are rotated moving the sliding members 2| within their guideways 22, together with the upper ends of the bars l6, either raising or lowering the seat depending upon the direction of rotation of the crank 30.

The threaded shafts 23 in the threaded sockets or bores of sliding members 2| provide a looking means for holding the sliding members 2| in any adjusted position. The position of the driving cranks I mounted on the arms 5 is determined by the elevation of the seat. These cranks and arms are positioned by the braces 32, which are pivotally mounted at 33 to the base The locking bolts pass through the arms 5 and embrace the slots 35 of the braces 32, the same being locked in any desired position by the hand nut 36, thereby supporting the arms 5 at the desired angle or elevation relative to the operator of the wheel chair. 4

In Figure 1, I have. illustrated the arms in an intermediate position in order to more clearly illustrate the balance of the drawing. These arms would be raised to a greater height when 4 the chair would be in this position under operating conditions.

I will now describe the mounting of the back 31 of the chair to the seat This back is pivotally mounted to the brackets l2 at 38, and is held in any desired position by the arms 39, which have one of their ends pivotally connected to the back at 40, and their opposite ends connected to the arms 4| at 42. The arms 4| are pivotally mounted to the seat H at 43, the lower ends of the arms 4| have a quadrant portion 44 forming part thereof.

This quadrant consists of openings or holes 45 which register with the ends 46 of the locking bolts 41, referring particularly to Figures 1, 4 and '7. The opposite ends of the locking bolts are pivotally mounted to the lever 48, which in turn is pivotally mounted to the bracket 49 at 50.. The bracket 49 is formed integral with the seat I providing a rigid support for the lever 48.

Referring to Figure 4, when the lever is moved in the direction of the arrow it will withdraw the ends 46 out of registery with the holes 45 of the quadrant 44 permitting the back 31 to be moved in either direction to the desired location, at which time the lever 48 is released and the spring 5| will cause the ends 46 of the bolts 41 to register with one of the holes 45 in each quadrant. This locking set up just described is adapted to hold the back at any desired angle above the horizontal line, but on reaching the horizontal line, especially when the same is being converted into a platform or stretcher, an auxiliary support is provided in the form of an extension brace 52, which is drawn out to the dotted position as illustrated in Figures 1 and '7, supporting the weight of the back thereon. This brace consists of a U-shaped member 53 slidin and out of the guideways 54, which are fixedly secured to the underside of the seat assembly.

I will now describe the construction of the foot rest and platform assembly, which consists of a telescopical assembly 55, comprising a series of telescopic plates 56, 51 and 58. These plates may be of a solid form or they may be made in the form of a perforated material. These plates are turned down at 59 at right angles on either side and reversed again at 60 to form channels, each one of the plates sliding within the other and being locked in the desired position by the locking bolts 6| and hand nuts 62, said locking bolts working within the slots 63, best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The telescopical plate assembly is pivotally mounted to the front of the seat H at 64, and is supported in the horizontal dotted position as indicated in Figure 1 by the telescopical foot 65, which is pivotally mounted at 66 to the upper plate 56. The lower end 61 is adapted to rest on the upper edge of the base I, the exact detail of which is not illustrated.

When the invalid chair is being used as a wheel chair the telescopical assembly assumes the position as indicated in Figure l, resting against the bracket 68 maintaining the same in a vertical position, the lower end 69 working up and down within the base as the seat H is raised or lowered. Located on either side of the edge 59 of the upper plate 58 are loops or guides 10 adapted to support the bars H as best illustrated in Figure 5. m

The notches 72 formed in the bars 7| engage the lips 13 of the loops holding the same in any desired location. Pivotally mounted to the outer extremities of the bars are foot rests 14.

By moving the bars through the loops the foot rest 14 may be moved away or towards the chair, and by selecting the various loops the foot rest can be raised and lowered relative to the chair, thereby providing a simple adjustment of the foot resting units.

Referring to Figure 8, I will now describe the sanitary or lavatory facilities of my new and improved invalid chair. A circular opening 15 is formed in the seat assembly ll having a removable insert 16 for covering the same. A removable pan 11 is secured by clips 18 to the underside of the seat assembly, best illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. In order to remove or replace the pan the same is grasped by the handle 19 and moved sidewise from under the clips 18.

I will now describe the operation of my new and improved invalid chair. Referring to Figure 6, the chair is shown in folded or lowered position. In order to raise the same to the position illustrated in Figure 1, the operator applies the crank to either the shaft 23 or the shaft 21 of the raising and lowering mechanism, depending on the working conditions encountered. By

revolving the same in the proper direction the threaded shafts 23 and 24 will be threaded into the sliding members 2| pulling the upper ends of the supporting bars I6 towards the upper ends of the bars [3, causing the seat to raise.

The lower ends of the bars l3 travel along the guideways 15. When the patient is seated upon the seat considerable adjustment can be given relative to the-height of the seat, after the same has been raised from the position shown in Figure 6, and this adjustment may be made by the patient or invalid themselves, by revolving the crank 30 in either direction. When it is desired for the patient to get in or out of bed from the chair, the seat is raised to the same level as the bed, the lever 48 is operated releasing the quadrant 44 permitting the back 31 to rest on the bed, thereby allowing the patient to swing over on to the bed from the chair by way of the back, providing a bridge. or out of bed onto the chair in the same manner.

In the event it is desired to place the patient on a table or stretcher, the quadrant 44 is unlocked, the back is lowered to the dotted position as indicated in Figure 1, the extension brace 52 is extended to the dotted position as indicated in Figures 1 and '7, supporting the back in a horizontal position. The telescopical plate assembly 55 is then raised to the dotted position, the telescopical foot 65 lowered as indicated in Figure 1, having its lower end 61 resting on the base I holding the same as indicated more completely in the detail shown in Figure 2, providing a brace for the patients legs and feet to rest.

When the chair has been raised to a level to be used as a wheel chair, the arms 5 are adjusted by loosening the hand nuts 36 permitting the arms to be raised or lowered on the braces 32 to the desired position for operating the cranks 1, at which time they are locked relativeto the braces. There are other adjustments that can be made for operating conditions, but I have described the major ones in the carrying out of my invention.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A wheel chair comprising a mobile base frame, a seat, means adjustably supporting said seat from said frame including centrally pivoted levers on each side thereof and respectively pivoted at one end to said frame and seat and at the other end to slide means carried by said seat and frame, a rod journalled longitudinally on each side of said seat and respectively threaded into said slide means, a shaft journalled transversely of said seat and geared to said rods, and crank means selectively cooperative with said shaft and one of said rods to rotate said rods to threadedly adjust said slide means and vary the elevation of said seat relative to said frame.

2. A wheel chair comprising a mobile base frame supporting a seat, a back pivoted to the rear of said seat and movable between a vertical position and a horizontal position substantially level with said seat, a brace slidably supported beneath said seat and extendable to support said back in horizontal position, arm members pivoted at one end to the sides of said back and at the other end to links which are pivoted to the front of said seat, quadrants fixed with the seat ends of said links and having a plurality of aligned apertures, bolts slidable transversely beneath said seat with their outer ends protruding beyond the opposite sides of said seat for selective insertion in one of the apertures of said quadrants, a manually operable lever piv oted to said seat and to the inner ends of said bolts for retracting said bolts to adjust said quadrants and back, and a spring biasing said manually operable lever to eject the ends of'said bolts.

3. A chair comprising a base frame, a seat, means adjustably supporting said seat from said frame, including centrally pivotedintersecting levers on each side thereof and respectively pivoted at one end to said frame and seat and at the other end to slide means carried by said seat and frame, a rod journalled longitudinally on each side of said seat and respectively threaded into said slide means, a shaft journalled transversely of said seat and geared to said rods,and crank means selectively cooperative with said shaft and one of said rods to rotate said rods to threadedly adjust said slide means and vary the elevation of said seat relative to said frame.

4. A wheel chair comprising a mobile base frame, a seat, means adjustably supporting said seat from said frame including centrally pivoted cross bars on each side thereof and respectively fixedly pivoted, one at its lower end to said frame near the rear end thereof and the other at its upper end to said seat near the rear end thereof, and at the other opposite upper and lower ends thereof respectively to slide means carried by said seat and frame respectively, a rod journalled longitudinally beneath and near each side of said seat and respectively threaded into said slide means carried by the seat, a shaft journalled transversely of said seat and geared to said rods,

and crank means selectively cooperative with said shaft and one of said rods for operation by the support said back in horizontal position, horizontal arm members pivoted at one end to the sides of said back, upright links pivoted to the sides of said seat near the front thereof, said arm members being pivoted at their other ends to the upper ends of said upright links, quadrants fixed with the lower ends of said links and having a plurality of arcuately arranged concentric apertures, bolts slidable transversely beneath said seat with their outer ends protruding beyond the opposite sides of said seat for selective insertion in one of the apertures of each of said quadrants, a manually operable lever pivoted beneath the bottom of said seat and on opposite sides of the pivot of the lever to the inner ends of said bolts for simultaneously retracting said bolts to adjust said quadrants and back, and a Spring biasing said manually operable lever to simultaneously eject the ends of said bolts into an aperture of each quadrant to hold the back in adjusted position.

ANNA MARIE MCCORMICK GRAY.

REFERENCES CITED h The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

